The Diva's Revolution Truly Begins, Becky Lynch's Search for Identity Heading To Fastlane with The Boss, and the power of NXT
The month of August saw WWE attempt to right many wrongs in their presentation of women in sports entertainment. Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch stormed in to show the world that the Divas mattered in WWE. The matches have been generally very good to excellent, but the storylines have meandered and fans were left wondering why Sasha Banks wasn't being utilized and why they should care about Charlotte anyway.
(The booking of Team B.A.D. was well . . . not good. The alliance will end with a bang as Sasha joins Becky Lynch to take on Tamina and Naomi at Fastlane. Source: WWE.com)
WWE did not give the fans on Raw and Smackdown the opportunity to get to know their new champion or Banks the way they did on NXT. The creative team made a smart move turning Charlotte heel, bringing back elements of the entitled princess who would stop at nothing to win that helped launch the careers of her costars Banks and Lynch, as well as Bayley, now the current NXT champion. Damage control continued after Paige disappeared after challenging Charlotte for the title. Afterward, Becky Lynch was the betrayed bestie looking for revenge and her first taste of WWE gold. This looked like a first chance for Lynch to really be more than the sidekick who kicks ass. Unlike her fellow call ups, she did not have the opportunity to hone her persona more and its hampering her progress now.
(Becky Lynch awaits Charlotte for their match at the 2016 Royal Rumble. Source: WWE Network)
She spent most of her time in NXT as a sidekick. First, she was Bayley's new friend who danced Irish jigs in the ring. Things improved when she turned heel and became Sasha Banks' muscle. She finally broke out on her own when a feud culminated in Lynch fighting in the now-epic NXT Takeover Fatal Four Way match that crowned Sasha Banks NXT women's champion. She went on to fight Banks for the title, debuting her steampunk gear and orange hair. This look had the trappings of market research and trying to find what worked, but it was a good start, but she did not have a chance to continue in NXT and explore her character before getting called up to the main roster. Charlotte was the technical wrestling princess, Sasha was the egomaniacal boss, and Becky was . . . well she was Charlotte's and Paige's sidekick with goggles. She deserves a nod for getting huge pops and drawing the eyes to her beauty and high energy wrestling style in spite of the weak characterization, but now just as she's building organic momentum she's stalling once again.
Around the various dirt sheets on the net, writers and fans are inclined to blame WWE creative, throw around the world "burial," but the unfortunate fact for Becky, is that she's just hitting her stride as Sasha Banks and her appeal can no longer be denied on the pragmatic business end. The same fans who love Lynch for the good-hearted and hard-wrestling Lass Kicker she is have wanted The Boss to come to the forefront even more. That leaves Lynch back in sidekick land as of the February 11th Smackdown - a supporting player in the final battle between The Boss and Team B.A.D. that will end at Fastlane. The possibility of The Boss and the Nature Girl rekindling the epic rivalry they began in NXT at Wrestlemania is nearing certainty. The Lass Kicker can at best hope for a spot in a triple threat for the title. Before Lynch can become a true breakout star and not a player in someone else's legacy, she has to find that elusive last piece beyond the orange locks and steampunk cosplay that will help her carve her own niche apart from Sasha Banks and Charlotte. One plus for Lynch is that this tag team bout with Sasha against Naomi and Tamina will be more satisfying than Charlotte's. The champ is defending her title against Brie Bella to capitalize on the warm fuzzies of Daniel Bryan's retirement. As the main roster moves toward Wrestlemania, NXT's women's division has shown it's been reloading rather than rebuilding.
(The Boss demands a title shot her way after Charlotte's victory over Becky Lynch at the 2016 Royal Rumble. Source: WWE Network)
Ever since Bayley became champion after she and Banks brought down the house at NXT Takeover Brooklyn--and followed it up with their groundbreaking Iron Woman match at Takover: Respect, she has become the heart and soul of NXT's female roster-- and the brand's top babyface.
(Bayley has done what few faces have done in wrestling in the 21st century--forge a strong connection with both adults and kids as she elevates the roster around her. Source: WWE)
The 2/10 edition of NXT was main evented by her match with real life and kayfabe close friend Carmella for the title. Bayley's doing what Charlotte did before her, wear the championship with class, enhance the brand and make her opponents look better even in defeat. Carmella has been a fan favorite since her debut, but has had to work hard to improve in the ring. She showed sparks of solid work intermingled with her charisma and showmanship in prior bouts with Alexa Bliss and Emma, but with Bayley leading the story between the ropes she never looked better. That's what champions need to do in the business and Bayley has also brought the best out of the flourishing heel Alexa Bliss, the green monster heel Nia Jax and even Eva Marie. Bayley leads the charge but she isn't the only one getting the most out of the developmental roster.
(Emma uses her guile-- and bff Dana Brooke-- to catch Asuka off guard. Source: WWE.com)
Emma has reinvented herself as a top heel in an alliance with the emerging Dana Brooke and the pair served as antagonists for the Japanese sensation Asuka. When Asuka was signed, expectations were high, and she has not failed to disappoint. Technical mastery and a high energy style along with the manic joy she brings has audiences enthralled. In her feud with Brooke and Emma, she got the best match out of the former to date, helping the former fitness model make significant strides in her ring work. At NXT Takeover: London the arc concluded when she and Emma locked horns. Her star continues to ascend as a possible title shot was teased as she ran in to save Bayley from Nia Jax and Eva Marie at the end of the 2/10 edition of NXT.
In two weeks the Dish will return and examine the landscape in the final weeks to Wrestlemania for the emerging women of WWE.
Very good analysis Wes, I agree on all points!
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